2.2.0.25truefalse4110 - Disclosure - Collaborative Arrangements (Details)truefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $D2011Q1http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000875320duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 3/31/2010 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $D2010Q1http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000875320duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-03-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$3falsefalseUSDtruefalse{vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxis} : Janssen Pharmaceutical, 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$D2011Q1_JanssenCollaborativeAgreementMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000875320duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseJanssen Pharmaceutical, N.V.vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldivrtx_JanssenCollaborativeAgreementMembervrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxisexplicitMemberPureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxis} : Janssen Pharmaceutical, N.V. 1/1/2010 - 3/31/2010 USD ($) $D2010Q1_JanssenCollaborativeAgreementMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000875320duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseJanssen Pharmaceutical, N.V.vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldivrtx_JanssenCollaborativeAgreementMembervrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$8falsefalseUSDtruefalse{vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxis} : Janssen Pharmaceutical, N.V. 7/1/2009 - 9/30/2009 USD ($) $D2009Q3_JanssenCollaborativeAgreementMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000875320duration2009-07-01T00:00:002009-09-30T00:00:00falsefalseJanssen Pharmaceutical, N.V.vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldivrtx_JanssenCollaborativeAgreementMembervrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$9falsefalseUSDtruefalse{vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxis} : Janssen Pharmaceutical, N.V. 1/1/2007 - 12/31/2007 USD ($) $D2007_JanssenCollaborativeAgreementMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000875320duration2007-01-01T00:00:002007-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseJanssen Pharmaceutical, N.V.vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldivrtx_JanssenCollaborativeAgreementMembervrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$10falsefalseUSDtruefalse{vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxis} : Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) $D2011Q1_MitsubishiTanabeCollaborativeAgreementtMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000875320duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseMitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporationvrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldivrtx_MitsubishiTanabeCollaborativeAgreementtMembervrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$11falsefalseUSDtruefalse{vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxis} : Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation 1/1/2010 - 3/31/2010 USD ($) $D2010Q1_MitsubishiTanabeCollaborativeAgreementtMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000875320duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseMitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporationvrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldivrtx_MitsubishiTanabeCollaborativeAgreementtMembervrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$12falsefalseUSDtruefalse{vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxis} : Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation 7/1/2009 - 9/30/2009 USD ($) $D2009Q3_MitsubishiTanabeCollaborativeAgreementtMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000875320duration2009-07-01T00:00:002009-09-30T00:00:00falsefalseMitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporationvrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldivrtx_MitsubishiTanabeCollaborativeAgreementtMembervrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$2true0vrtx_ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementAgreementsLineItemsvrtxfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseSchedule of Collaborative Arrangements3false0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementDevelopmentCostContributionPercentvrtxfalsenadurationPercent of total development cost for the parties' territories, as specified in the collaboration agreement, that is to be...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5truetruefalse0.500.50falsefalsefalsetruefalse6truetruefalse0.500.50falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepurePercent of total development cost for the parties' territories, as specified in the collaboration agreement, that is to be funded by the other party to the agreement.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseDrug development costs to be paid by collaborator (as a percent)4false0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementUpFrontLicenseFeevrtxfalsecreditdurationThe amount of the up-front license fee received by the entity pursuant to a collaborative arrangement.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4truefalsefalse165000000165000000falsetruefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the up-front license fee received by the entity pursuant to a collaborative arrangement.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseUp-front license payment5false0vrtx_DeferredRevenueAdjustmentOfPeriodicRevenueRecognitionPerQuartervrtxfalsedebitdurationIncrease (decrease) in the original amount of revenue recognized in a fiscal quarter from a deferred revenue arrangement.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7truefalsefalse14000001400000falsefalsefalsetruefalse8truefalsefalse11000001100000falsefalsefalsetruefalse9truefalsefalse26000002600000falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryIncrease (decrease) in the original amount of revenue recognized in a fiscal quarter from a deferred revenue arrangement.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseDecrease in revenue recognition per quarter due to change in estimate regarding period of performance under Janssen collaboration agreement6false0us-gaap_DeferredRevenueus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6truefalsefalse6520000065200000falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10truefalsefalse4140000041400000falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of deferred revenue as of balance sheet date. Deferred revenue represents collections of cash or other assets related to a revenue producing activity for which revenue has not yet been recognized. Generally, an entity records deferred revenue when it receives consideration from a customer before achieving certain criteria that must be met for revenue to be recognized in conformity with GAAP.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 13 -Section A falsefalseDeferred revenue related to up-front license payment7false0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementContingentConsiderationEarnedGrossvrtxfalsecreditdurationThe total amount of contingent milestone payments earned to date pursuant to the collaboration agreement including a $50...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6truefalsefalse150000000150000000falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe total amount of contingent milestone payments earned to date pursuant to the collaboration agreement including a $50 million milestone payment that was earned in the first quarter of 2011 in connection with the EMA acceptance of the MAA for telaprevir.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseTotal contingent milestone payments earned8false0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementContingentConsiderationEarnedPortionOfGrossvrtxfalsecreditdurationThe total amount of contingent milestone payments earned to date pursuant to the collaboration agreement, including a $50...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6truefalsefalse5000000050000000falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe total amount of contingent milestone payments earned to date pursuant to the collaboration agreement, including a $50 million milestone payment that was earned in the first quarter of 2011 in connection with the EMA acceptance of the MAA for telaprevir.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseMilestone payment earned in the first quarter of 2011 in connection with the EMA acceptance of the MAA for telaprevir9false0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementContingentConsiderationUnearnedRevenueUpperEndOfRangevrtxfalsecreditdurationThe upper end of the range of the aggregate amount of unearned contingent milestone payments, which may be received in the...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6truefalsefalse200000000200000000falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe upper end of the range of the aggregate amount of unearned contingent milestone payments, which may be received in the future by the entity pursuant to the collaborative arrangement.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseMaximum value of unearned contingent milestone payments under agreement10false0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementContingentConsiderationEarnedUponApprovalMilestonevrtxfalsecreditdurationRevenue to be earned upon achievement of the approval of telaprevir by the European Medicines Evaluation Agency.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6truefalsefalse5000000050000000falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRevenue to be earned upon achievement of the approval of telaprevir by the European Medicines Evaluation Agency.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseRevenue to be earned upon achievement of the approval milestone11false0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementContingentConsiderationEarnedUponProductLaunchMilestonevrtxfalsecreditdurationThe amount to be earned upon achievement of the product launch milestones, pursuant to the collaboration agreement.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6truefalsefalse150000000150000000falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount to be earned upon achievement of the product launch milestones, pursuant to the collaboration agreement.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseRevenue to be earned upon achievement of the launch milestones12false0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementNumberOfFinancialTransactionsRelatedToFutureMilestonesvrtxfalsenadurationThe number of financial transactions entered into by the Entity related to achievement of the filing, approval and launch...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse22falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:integerItemTypeintegerThe number of financial transactions entered into by the Entity related to achievement of the filing, approval and launch milestones in the European Union, pursuant to the collaboration agreement.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseNumber of financial transactions entered into related to milestones13false0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementAggregateValueMilestonesRelatedToFinancialTransactionsvrtxfalsecreditdurationThe value of the milestones for regulatory filing and approval, and product launch, pursuant to the Janssen collaboration...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse250000000250000000falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe value of the milestones for regulatory filing and approval, and product launch, pursuant to the Janssen collaboration agreement, that related to the September 2009 financial transactions.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseValue of milestones related to the September 2009 Financial Transactions14false0vrtx_TieredRoyaltyAveragePercentOfNetSalesvrtxfalsenadurationThe average expected royalty rate as a percent of net sales based on a tiered royalty schedule included in the collaboration...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00mid-20% rangemid-20% rangefalsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringThe average expected royalty rate as a percent of net sales based on a tiered royalty schedule included in the collaboration agreement.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseTiered royalty average range, as a percentage of net sales in the Janssen territories15false0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementNoticePeriodRequiredForTerminationPriorToMarketingApprovalMonthsvrtxfalsenadurationThe number of months notice required to terminate a collaboration agreement prior to the receipt of marketing approval.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5truefalsefalse66falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:pureItemTypepureThe number of months notice required to terminate a collaboration agreement prior to the receipt of marketing approval.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseNotice period required to terminate without cause prior to receipt of marketing approval (in months)16false0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementNoticePeriodRequiredForTerminationAfterMarketingApprovalYearsvrtxfalsenadurationThe minimum number of years notice required to terminate a collaboration agreement after the receipt of marketing approval.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5truefalsefalse11falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:pureItemTypepureThe minimum number of years notice required to terminate a collaboration agreement after the receipt of marketing approval.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseNotice period required to terminate without cause after receipt of marketing approval (in years)17false0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementLicenseFeePaidOnAmendmentvrtxfalsecreditdurationThe amount of the license fee received by the entity upon amendment of a collaborative agreement.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12truefalsefalse105000000105000000falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the license fee received by the entity upon amendment of a collaborative agreement.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseLicense fee paid upon amendment of agreement18false0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementContingentMilestonePaymentLowEndOfRangevrtxfalsecreditdurationThe low end of the range of the contingent milestone payments the entity may receive in the future pursuant to a...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12truefalsefalse1500000015000000falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe low end of the range of the contingent milestone payments the entity may receive in the future pursuant to a collaboration agreement.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseContingent milestone payment, low end of range19false0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementContingentMilestonePaymentHighEndOfRangevrtxfalsecreditdurationThe high end of the range of the contingent milestone payments the entity may receive in the future pursuant to a...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12truefalsefalse6500000065000000falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe high end of the range of the contingent milestone payments the entity may receive in the future pursuant to a collaboration agreement.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseContingent milestone payment, high end of range20false0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementNoticePeriodRequiredForTerminationDaysvrtxfalsenadurationThe number of days notice required to terminate a collaboration agreement.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12truefalsefalse6060falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:integerItemTypeintegerThe number of days notice required to terminate a collaboration agreement.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseNotice period required to terminate without cause (in days)21true0vrtx_RecognizedCollaborativeRevenueAbstractvrtxfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseCollaborative revenues recognized22false0vrtx_AmortizedPortionOfUpFrontPaymentvrtxfalsecreditdurationThis element represents the amortized portion of the up-front payment.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6truefalsefalse31070003107000falsefalsefalsetruefalse7truefalsefalse31070003107000falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10truefalsefalse95580009558000falsefalsefalsetruefalse11truefalsefalse95580009558000falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the amortized portion of the up-front payment.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseAmortized portion of up-front payment23false0vrtx_DevelopmentMilestoneRevenuesvrtxfalsecreditdurationThis element represents the revenues recorded for milestone payments received.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6truefalsefalse5000000050000000falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10truefalsefalse12120001212000falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the revenues recorded for milestone payments received.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseDevelopment milestone revenues24false0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementRevenuesNetReimbursementDevelopmentProgramExpensevrtxfalsecreditdurationThis element represents the net amount of reimbursable costs incurred by the entity that the collaborator is obligated to pay...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6truefalsefalse-1145000-1145000falsefalsefalsetruefalse7truefalsefalse24060002406000falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the net amount of reimbursable costs incurred by the entity that the collaborator is obligated to pay the entity, after offsetting any reimbursable expenses incurred by the collaborator, which are recognized as collaborative revenues.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseNet reimbursement (payment) for telaprevir development costs25false0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementRevenuesThroughThirdPartyManufacturingNetworkvrtxfalsecreditdurationThis element represents revenues from collaborator for manufacturing services provided through the entity's third-party...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6truefalsefalse41540004154000falsefalsefalsetruefalse7truefalsefalse951000951000falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10truefalsefalse715000715000falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents revenues from collaborator for manufacturing services provided through the entity's third-party manufacturing network.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseReimbursement for manufacturing services26false0vrtx_CollaborativeRevenuesvrtxfalsecreditdurationThe aggregate revenue from collaborative revenues. It includes the revenues earned by the entity from nonrefundable, up-front...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse6760100067601000falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1602200016022000falsetruefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6truefalsefalse5611600056116000falsetruefalsetruefalse7truefalsefalse64640006464000falsetruefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10truefalsefalse1148500011485000falsetruefalsetruefalse11truefalsefalse95580009558000falsetruefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe aggregate revenue from collaborative revenues. It includes the revenues earned by the entity from nonrefundable, up-front license fees; net reimbursements of research and/or development efforts, including manufacturing services; and milestone payments.No authoritative reference available.truefalseTotal collaborative revenues attributable to the collaboration1225Collaborative Arrangements (Details) (USD $)NoRoundingUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruetrue